The image I use to illustrate the body/soul/spirit integration is the Statue of Liberty. Like many illustrations, it is not perfect, but is useful. The statue is an integration of the flame of the spirit, the crown of the mind and the structure of a supporting body. The foundation for this symbol is both large and solid.Another illustration from Scripture might be instructive. Noah’s three sons named in Scripture - (Ham (body-physical), Shem (spiritual) and Japheth (mind - intellectual) - each may represent nations that mirror the tri-part makeup of humans.
Japhethites, essentially European people groups provided the world with great intellectual development – philosophy, science, psychology; the Hamites, a mix of African and Asian people groups (Egypt, Africa, Orient), provided the world great explorers, farming and crop-raising techniques, architectural wonders, servants (slaves, producers for the other nations); and the Semites, who gave the world both Israelites (Hebrew people – Jewish nation) and Ishmaelites (Arabs), have given the world much in the spiritual development.
God intended all to work together for the benefit of each. Man had different ideas. Ham, through his son Canaan, was cursed by Noah for his dishonoring behavior, has been fulfilling the curse, despite his grandson, Nimrod’s, attempt to rule rather than be ruled. If you read The Book, you know the final end of Babylon the city founded by him and then the final realization of God’s plan – of which there should be no doubt.
So what’s the “so what?” Shem’s descendant, Jesus of Nazareth, who came to earth as The God/man, provides the difference. The body must be nourished, feed what is good for it demands care and keeping. The mind receives nourishment from it to support our God-given intellect; therefore, it too must not be dismissed, demanding constant stimulation and challenge; but both are only temporary. The eternal spirit, however, changes our focus of body-care and mind-development. For if Christ was not resurrected, he becomes only another guru in a long line of Wiseman, and our spiritual faith is in vain.
That faith drives the reality of His Spirit living within us to provide us the power needed to control self. On our own, our attempts for control are temporary, and under stress, that self-foundation becomes obvious. Only a supernatural “Rock of Ages” – the Messiah promised the world- the living Jesus Christ provides the foundation we need to exercise control.
Is your life built on the shifting sands of self or the living Rock of the Ages?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
1 comment:
The living Rock of Ages, of course.
When I read this Griff, my thought went to one of the trinity truths you mentioned.
Isn't it interesting that even though WE focus on the the negative aspects of Ham, that not all of Hamites were slaves. As you already know and allude to above, they were bent with the ability to serve, i.e. innovators in the care of the natural things that the body needs. They are part of the BODY. We find them in the church and we find them in our families and we find them in our work.
They are not just subservient people but friends and beneficial components of this life on earth. We often think harshly of them as not being spiritual or intellectually gifted. It does not mean they are simpletons or harsh, they just have a bent that helps make life more bearable for us. God gave them that bent. Granted some were slaves but their dominate gift to mankind was survival of the physical.
It is very hard for the spiritual to exist in this life without the physical strength to do so. As you note we need all three to be whole. It is amazing the things the mind can come up with when only asked to do so.
Blessings, Griff!
Post a Comment